By Final Rentals | Dubai & Doha Operations Team
Airspace across the Middle East is becoming increasingly congested, yet at the same time, more restricted. Escalating geopolitical tensions connected to the current operational situation known as “Operation Epic Fury” are placing extraordinary pressure on the aviation networks that normally link the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to the rest of the world. Airports, such as Dubai International (DXB), Abu Dhabi International (AUH), and Hamad International in Doha, are experiencing temporary closures, diverted flights, and extensive rerouting.
For over one million travellers navigating the region, whether in transit or stranded, airline announcements often offer little more than an instruction to wait. Being confined to an airport terminal or hotel without the freedom to move can rapidly become mentally draining and create significant logistical difficulties.
At Final Rentals, we operate directly on the ground in both Dubai and Qatar. Our perspective goes beyond aviation data. We observe what is happening on the roads as well, including traffic flow along Sheikh Zayed Road and the queues forming at regional land border crossings. When air travel becomes unpredictable, road travel can provide an important alternative. We highlight practical considerations for maintaining mobility, safety, and flexibility during the current disruption.
Our focus centres on five essential elements travellers should consider in the current situation: maintaining cross-border ground mobility, retaining personal control when stranded, understanding insurance limitations in times of conflict, benefiting from flexible booking arrangements, and preparing for evacuation logistics affecting expatriate communities.
Cross-Border Mobility When Flights Are Disrupted
The most immediate consequence of the ongoing crisis is the interruption of regional air corridors. Information from the past 72 hours indicates that nearly 40% of flights operating between the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have experienced delays or cancellations because of airspace security alerts. For travellers attempting to reach a safe location or an operational airport to depart the region, relying entirely on flights is becoming increasingly uncertain.
Under these conditions, vehicle access shifts from convenience to necessity. The GCC benefits from one of the most modern highway systems in the world. Travelling by road from Dubai to Muscat in Oman takes approximately four and a half hours via the Hili Border crossing. A journey from Dubai to Dammam in Saudi Arabia takes roughly six hours. Even when airspace restrictions are introduced, land borders within the GCC typically remain accessible to civilian travellers who possess the appropriate visas and documents.
For travellers whose flight from Dubai has been cancelled for several days, renting a vehicle allows them to reach another airport that is still operating. Similarly, if flights from Doha are restricted, driving to alternative hubs in Oman or southern Saudi Arabia may be the only viable way to continue journeys to Europe or Asia.
Such movement requires preparation. At Final Rentals, we recommend travellers consider long-term car rentals in the UAE, particularly contracts of 30 days or longer, which provide the stability required for cross-border planning. Short-term daily rentals often come with mileage limits and insurance terms that may not allow drivers to cross international borders.
By comparison, our long-term vehicles are set up for cross-border travel throughout the GCC. Each car is equipped with GPS tracking, roadside assistance that operates across GCC borders, and the required vehicle registration documents, known as Mulkiya, which must be presented during customs inspections.
The goal is not to enter unsafe areas, but to use the GCC’s well-developed highways to reach stable locations or operational airports. If one airport is closed, a vehicle lets travellers reach another that is open.
Safe Harbour Rentals and Regaining Control While Stranded
The consequences of the current disruption extend beyond delayed flights. Reports indicate that more than 30,000 German tourists and approximately 58,000 Indonesian pilgrims are currently stranded across the region, staying in hotels, cruise terminals, or airport lounges.
Being stranded often causes psychological stress due to loss of control. Relying solely on airlines leaves travellers passive, which is especially stressful for families, elderly pilgrims, and those unfamiliar with the region.
To address this challenge, Final Rentals offers what we describe as the “Safe Harbour” rental concept. Access to a private vehicle provides both practical and emotional reassurance. Travellers are no longer confined to waiting areas and can move freely to purchase supplies, relocate to quieter neighbourhoods, or explore alternative accommodation options.
If a hotel is in a crowded or uncomfortable area, travellers can move immediately to a calmer district or another emirate without relying on organised transport. For Indonesian pilgrim groups, rental vehicles let coordinators manage travel efficiently, avoiding delays from charter buses and enabling gradual movement to consulates or assembly points. German tourists often value the independence a vehicle provides, allowing them to wait for rescheduled flights in comfort and on their own terms.
Final Rentals is ensuring that stranded travellers have access to suitable vehicles. SUVs and larger vans are being reserved to help families and groups stay together during periods of uncertainty.
Understanding Rental Protection During Regional Tensions
The most common question at our Dubai and Doha rental counters concerns liability: travellers want to know if they are responsible if a rental car is damaged during the current situation. This is understandable, as standard travel insurance and rental agreements often exclude events labelled “Acts of War,” “Civil Commotion,” or “Force Majeure.” While usually minor details, these clauses become highly relevant during periods of geopolitical tension.
Transparency is crucial, and we aim to explain how coverage applies. Most standard policies do not cover damage from direct military action, terrorism, or nuclear incidents. Despite regional tensions, daily conditions in the UAE and Qatar remain stable. In practice, the greater risks to vehicles in cities like Dubai come from indirect factors such as heavy traffic, sudden braking, or theft during unrest. To address these concerns, Final Rentals has put in place a Crisis Coverage Protocol for the current security alerts:
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Our standard CDW remains valid. If an accident occurs due to unusual traffic conditions related to the disruption, such as sudden braking or evacuation congestion, the standard coverage still applies.
- Theft and Vandalism: Excess liability may be waived for theft or vandalism claims in areas operating under Level 2 Security Alerts, provided the vehicle was securely locked and the keys were not left inside.
- War Exclusion: Direct acts of war cannot be covered by private rental insurance. However, the probability of such incidents occurring in our primary operating areas, including Dubai Marina and Doha West Bay, remains extremely low compared with the practical risks of being stranded without transport.
Travellers seeking extra peace of mind are advised to choose the Premium Protection Package. This plan removes the deductible for non-war-related incidents and provides 24-hour priority support. In the event of a claim, our team evaluates each case individually, with a focus on assisting customers wherever possible.
Flexible Booking Policies During Ongoing Disruptions
Governments worldwide, including the UK Foreign Office and the US State Department, currently advise travellers not to go to the airport unless their flight is confirmed. This creates a dilemma for rental customers: you need a car to reach the airport, but you don’t want to book one until your flight is certain.
To address this, Final Rentals is introducing a Zero-Penalty Crisis Policy for all bookings in the Middle East region.
- Cancellation: Any booking made for pickup in Qatar, UAE, or Saudi Arabia can be cancelled up to two hours before the scheduled pickup with a full refund, no questions asked.
- One-Way Flexibility: Normally, returning a car to a different city incurs high fees. For the next 30 days, one-way fees within the GCC are waived to allow travel toward open borders and safe zones.
This policy eliminates the financial risk of planning. Secure a car to maintain mobility, cancel if your flight is cancelled, or extend if delayed. Final Rentals handles the logistics so you can focus on safety.
Transport Considerations for Expatriate Evacuations
The Gulf region hosts a large expatriate community, including around 300,000 British citizens and hundreds of thousands of other residents from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world. Several governments are preparing contingency evacuation plans, which may involve assembly points at ports or specific airports for charter flights.
During evacuations, public transport can become unreliable. Buses may be redirected, metro services reduced, and taxis may be scarce or expensive. For expatriate families needing to reach assembly points located in industrial or specialised areas, a private vehicle is often the most reliable option. To assist travellers in these situations, Final Rentals has developed a practical evacuation support framework.
- Vehicle Selection: SUVs with higher ground clearance are recommended. Evacuation routes may involve driving over kerbs, navigating temporary roadblocks, or accessing areas where roads are not fully developed.
- Fuel Planning: Travellers are advised to keep their fuel tanks at least 75 percent full. During security alerts, queues at petrol stations can form quickly, which may delay travel when time is critical.
- Documentation: Each vehicle includes both digital and printed documentation. This folder contains the car registration papers, insurance information, and an authorisation letter from Final Rentals written in Arabic and English. These documents may be required when passing through security checkpoints.
- Communication: Every vehicle is linked to our dispatch centre. Travellers heading to evacuation assembly points should notify our team so we can track their route and provide support in case of a breakdown or road closure.
For British citizens and other expatriates who may not have access to a personal vehicle in the region, a rental car can provide a reliable way to travel from their accommodation to evacuation transport. During this period, reservations are prioritised for travellers who can present proof of evacuation registration with their embassy.
The Broader Situation Facing Regional Travellers
Current estimates indicate that over one million travellers in the Middle East are facing delays, rerouting, or uncertainty. While air travel is highly centralised and sensitive to airspace restrictions, road travel is flexible and adaptable. As a global car rental provider operating in Dubai and Qatar, Final Rentals focuses on three core priorities during the current disruption.
Mobility
Cross-border rentals and long-term vehicle access that can substitute for short regional flights.
Safety
Clear insurance information, guidance on security zones, and dependable vehicles.
Flexibility
Adaptable booking policies and responsive support services.
Travellers and businesses cannot influence geopolitical events, but they can manage operational preparedness. In times of uncertainty, being flexible is more important than being fast. Having the freedom to move independently lets travellers respond to changing conditions and make choices that prioritise safety.
Preparedness begins with mobility.
Stay safe. Stay mobile.
The Final Rentals Team
Dubai | Doha | Riyadh
